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Menos el Oso
by
Menos el Oso Image
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 18 Ratings

  • Summary: The Seattle band returns with a fourth album.

Top Track

Pachuca Sunrise
Midnight on a beach in the Mediterranean And I miss you even here, taking it all in The sand silvered carries the moon on it's shoulders Is it... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. Alternative Press
    100
    There's a constant sense of forward motion to Menos El Oso that suits the whole metaphor of growing up and growing out. [Oct 2005, p.156]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Lost At Sea
    85
    Their trademark wit is still present but less forced; instead it is more intelligent and reflective, and as the band produced this album themselves, the reward is apparent: they sound more self-assured and strong than they ever have.
  3. The A.V. Club
    80
    Prior to this record, Minus The Bear had a reputation for jokey song titles and bloodless precision, but here, the band reinvents itself as a purveyor of nightmares.
  4. Pitchfork
    71
    Menos el Oso ultimately stumbles on its own self-conscious maturity.
  5. Prefix Magazine
    60
    What's really preventing Minus the Bear from making a breakthrough with El Oso is the band's unwillingness to head in new directions.
  6. PopMatters
    60
    While not all of the songs on Menos el Oso are winners, the album as a whole holds up much better than any of their previous efforts.
  7. Tiny Mix Tapes
    30
    Menos el Oso takes the act of melodizing the banal to dizzyingly silly new heights.

See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. BrandonC
    Nov 22, 2006
    10
    One of the greatest CD's I've listened to in a long time. Simply AMAZING!!!
  2. AlexanderM
    Oct 26, 2005
    10
    Breath taking... Saw them play this album live and it was remarkable. The guitarist really knows what hes doing as he creates these beats.
  4. amanda
    Mar 4, 2006
    10
    melodic mesmerizing harmonic vocals mixed with insanly sporadic rifts=minus the bears-menos el oso
  5. ag
    Aug 25, 2005
    9
    come on...it's fun, it's rock, it's interesting. lighten up and roll out some menos.
  6. Brian
    Nov 7, 2006
    9
    This band deserves credit, I always come back to their LP's and find myself diggin them more as time goes by. Listen to Minus the Bear This band deserves credit, I always come back to their LP's and find myself diggin them more as time goes by. Listen to Minus the Bear and you too will see how inventive rock...rocks.… Collapse
  7. ChrisM
    Jul 23, 2006
    9
    Minus the bear is probably one of the most intelligent rock bands out right now. Math rock at it's best. Though i don't believe Minus the bear is probably one of the most intelligent rock bands out right now. Math rock at it's best. Though i don't believe this to be there best album, you really do sense a bit of machurity, and growth in it. And with each album Jake Snyders lyrics seem to be more personal meaningfull.… Expand
  8. DrunkenMaster
    Aug 25, 2005
    8
    This really should be an 8.5. This is a fine album that slides and skitters across the indie rock melody pantheon with wit and style. Well This really should be an 8.5. This is a fine album that slides and skitters across the indie rock melody pantheon with wit and style. Well worth your time and money.… Expand

See all 11 User Reviews